Patricia J. (Goering) Smith credits her success to her persistence and an abiding dedication to bringing diverse subjects together.
SEATTLE, WA, October 31, 2019 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Patricia J. (Goering) Smith has been included in Marquis Who's Who. As in all Marquis Who's Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.
Fascinated with political science and the transformation of Eastern Europe throughout the past three decades, Ms. Smith has traveled to Berlin almost every year since 1986. As a child, she was raised in a tiny Swiss-Volhynian Mennonite community in Kansas. Her aspirations grew far bigger than the confines of her small town, and her fascination with world events led to her eventual career as a political scientist. She initially traveled to East and West Germany in 1964, shortly after the Berlin Wall was built, and her interest in that region has never waned. Ms. Smith was especially inspired after traveling throughout Eastern Europe as part of a singing group in 1986, during which she talked with numerous residents about peace and reconciliation between East and West. The trip led her to return to graduate school to focus on the changes occurring in the East bloc.
Several years after her trip, Ms. Smith was selected for an International Research and Exchanges Board (IREX) fellowship at Humboldt University in Berlin. Residing in Berlin between 1991 and 1992, she wrote extensively on the subject of political activism in East Germany, as well as in other nations which composed the eastern bloc. Utilizing the wealth of historical record at her disposal, as well as her own personal experiences and interviews, she authored "After the Wall: Eastern Germany since 1989," published in 1998, and "Revolution Revisited: Behind the Scenes in East Germany, 1989," released in 2014. Ms. Smith has likewise contributed a number of articles and publications surrounding this era in history, particularly a chapter on "German Economic and Monetary Union: Transition to a Market Economy" in "Adaptation and Transformation in Communist and Post-Communist Systems" and a chapter on "The Impact of Post-Cold-War Changes on the U.S.-German Relationship" in "Coming in from the Cold War." She also authored a manual titled "See How She Runs: Effective Political Techniques."
In pursuing her education, Ms. Smith initially studied languages and political science at the University of Kansas, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1967, and at Indiana University, from which she graduated with a Master of Arts in 1969. She later earned a Doctor of Philosophy in political science from the University of Washington, for which she wrote her dissertation on the subject of democratizing East Germany. Following the conclusion of her academic efforts, she taught political science and international relations at the aforementioned school, as well as universities abroad in Romania. In civic pursuits, Ms. Smith is a long-standing member of the League of Women Voters, Women in International Security, Emily's List, and other organizations focusing on women and politics.
Adjacent to her career as a political scientist and educator, Ms. Smith is also an avid photographer. She has used her photography to document her life and her world, including the changes in Eastern Europe. She exhibits her photos at the Gallery of Ocean Shores and at Palette by the Sea, Seabrook, WA. These photos frequently depict images of the Pacific Northwest coast, whether it be the city streets of Seattle, serene landscapes or turbulent seascapes. Ms. Smith is a founding member of the aforementioned gallery, as well as a founding member of the local North Beach Singers group.
Ms. Smith credits her success to her persistence and an abiding dedication to bringing diverse subjects together. In looking towards the future, she aspires to continue traveling and writing. Currently a student of the French language, Ms. Smith would also like to hone her linguistic skills in the years to come.
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Since 1899, when A. N. Marquis printed the First Edition of Who's Who in America®, Marquis Who's Who® has chronicled the lives of the most accomplished individuals and innovators from every significant field of endeavor, including politics, business, medicine, law, education, art, religion and entertainment. Today, Who's Who in America® remains an essential biographical source for thousands of researchers, journalists, librarians and executive search firms around the world. Marquis® now publishes many Who's Who titles, including Who's Who in America®, Who's Who in the World®, Who's Who in American Law®, Who's Who in Medicine and Healthcare®, Who's Who in Science and Engineering®, and Who's Who in Asia®. Marquis® publications may be visited at the official Marquis Who's Who® website at www.marquiswhoswho.com.
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